Family Physician
Family physicians are licensed to diagnose and treat patients’ physical and mental diseases, disorders, injuries, and other health-related problems.
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Doctor, Family Doctor, General Practitioner, Medical Doctor
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Family physicians are highly skilled generalists. They diagnose and treat patients’ physical and mental diseases, disorders, injuries, and other health-related problems.
In general, family physicians:
Family physicians may work in hospitals, clinics, offices, and community settings. As a result, their working conditions vary. Most days, family physicians see a stream of patients. Sometimes they work at various locations (such as hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, or patients’ homes), which can involve a lot of driving. The work offers rewards and challenges. It is emotionally demanding.
Family physicians often work long hours. They may have rotating shifts or be on call. Most spend some time on their feet (to examine or treat patients) and some time at a desk doing paperwork. Those in private practice manage their own careers, company finances, and human resources.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in precision working to diagnose diseases, prescribe treatments and provide continuous care to patients
Interest in mentoring by providing counselling and support to patients and their families on a wide range of health and lifestyle issues, by advising patients and their families on health care including health promotion and disease, illness and accident prevention and by referring patients to specialists
Interest in co-ordinating information from the results of medical tests to advise patients on health care options; in providing acute care management, in co-ordinating or managing primary patient care and in supervising home care services
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Family physicians need to possess:
They should enjoy:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 269 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Apr 24, 2023 and Dec 05, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
Tasks: Advise patients on health care | 246 |
---|---|
Tasks: Prescribe and administer medications and treatments | 241 |
Tasks: Consult with other medical practitioners to evaluate patients' physical and mental health | 235 |
Tasks: Provide counselling and support to patients and their families on a wide range of health and lifestyle issues | 217 |
Certificates, Licences, Memberships, and Courses : Licensure by provincial or territorial authorities | 214 |
Tasks: Co-ordinate or manage primary patient care | 201 |
Tasks: Provide acute care management | 161 |
Tasks: Perform patient advocacy role | 156 |
Construction Specialization: Organized | 155 |
Certificates, Licences, Memberships, and Courses : College of Family Physicians Certification (CCFP) | 155 |
Family physicians must successfully complete:
MD programs in Canada are quota programs. This means many applicants who fulfill the entrance requirements do not get in. Successful applicants are selected on the basis of:
The following schools offer programs and courses that meet this occupation’s educational requirements. Other eligible programs and courses may be available.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.
The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.
Physicians and surgeons assess the physical, mental, and psychosocial condition of individuals to establish a diagnosis. They assist individuals to make informed choices about medical and surgical treatments. They treat physical, mental, and psychosocial conditions. They promote wellness, injury avoidance, disease prevention, and cures through research and education. They also engage in research, education, and administration with respect to health. Osteopaths use manual techniques to assess, diagnose, and treat diseases, disorders, and dysfunctions of the body’s structure.
Under Alberta’s Health Professions Act [pdf], Health Professions Restricted Activity Regulation [pdf], and Physicians, Surgeons, Osteopaths and Physician Assistants Profession Regulation [pdf], registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) is mandatory. Only registered members may provide restricted activities specified in the Regulations. This includes those who:
For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Physician, Surgeon and Osteopath.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Many family physicians work in private practice clinics or for regional health authorities. Others work in:
Family physicians may continue their education to specialize in other areas such as sports medicine. For a current list of recognized specializations, see the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) websites.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
General practitioners and family physicians
2016 NOC: 3112
94.1% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2023-2025 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Family physicians in private practice are self-employed. Their incomes vary a lot. Factors include location, number of patient visits, and the cost of running a medical office.
Alberta College of Family Physicians (ACFP) website: www.acfp.ca
Alberta Medical Association (AMA) website: www.albertadoctors.org
College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) website: www.cfpc.ca
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) website: www.cpsa.ca
Medical Council of Canada (MCC) website: mcc.ca
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) website: www.royalcollege.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2018. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.